Abbott promises special session announcement 'later this week'

Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday promised to make an announcement "later this week" on whether he will call a special session.

Given Abbott's recent political posturing, a special session is all but assured, and the topics of discussion will relate to a "sunset bill" that would allow several crucial state agencies to continue operating, a property tax relief bill, and a "bathroom bill" restricting which public restrooms transgender people may use.

His latest request for a special session came Sunday, because Senate Bill 1929 didn't pass the Senate.

Abbott has said previously he's hesitant to do so over on any issue, but he's also bucked other GOP governors nationally in calling for legislation that could impose transgender restroom restrictions.

"We will be, if we have a special session, convening only on the topics that I choose at the time of my choosing", Abbott said.

Abbott supports both issues but emphasized that as governor, he will control the timing and agenda of any special session.

A special session can last as long as 30 days and cost the state as much as $800,000.

Months ago the Texas Senate approved a sweeping proposal requiring transgender people to use public restrooms corresponding to the gender on their birth certificates - similar to a law that sparked national outcry and boycotts worth billions of dollars in lost revenue in North Carolina previous year.

"My biggest disappointment, of course, is the sunset bill did not pass", Abbott said Monday. Straus has said the bathroom bill is a potential economy killer, and House leaders have opposed tax measures Patrick wants.

According to The Dallas Morning News, the CEOs made their case in a letter dated May 27. "Our ability to attract, recruit, and retain top talent, encourage new business relocations, expansions, and investment, and maintain our economic competitiveness would all be negatively affected". Signatories include Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg, Apple's TIm Cook, Amazon CEO Jeff Wilke, IBM Chairman Ginni Rometty, Microsoft Corp.